Leta E Rogalla

On October 11, 1924 a second little girl was born into the family of Vernon and Helen Downing of Edgewater, Colorado. This little girl was to eventually be known as Leta Eileen (Downing) Rogalla, the woman whose life we celebrate today.

Leta grew up with one sister (Shirley) and one brother (Robert ‘Bob’) as the middle child. Though childhood was not always easy when her father chose to leave the family for a time, Leta grew up loved by extended family that reached from the small town of Ute, Iowa and then back to Edgewater. She felt the steady, secure love of a mother who worked hard to keep the family intact.

Graduating from Edgewater High School in 1942 she continued on to a secretarial program that allowed her to procure a variety of jobs in the years to come. From the Swift and Company Meat Packing Plant to Paramount Pictures Film Distribution Center in early years … to various church secretary positions, a time with the Colorado PTA Offices, and customer service work at both Montgomery Ward and Joslins, the training she received was beneficial to her personally and to her family in the years to come. (Oh the papers she typed late into the night for a degree-pursuing daughter!)

As a young girl, Leta had also learned to play the piano and accordion. These keyboard skills found her teaching herself how to play the organ and thus, she had discovered her labor of love: creating beautiful music to accompany the worship of the God she loved.

It was from behind such a keyboard that the love of her life discovered the woman he would marry. Walter Rogalla started attending the Christian Endeavor youth activities at Edgewater Christian Church where Leta accompanied the music. Before long the couple was dating and eventually married on July 28, 1946 after Walter had returned from military service in the United States Marine Corps.

The couple set up their first home in the ‘little house’ behind Leta’s parents’ home. Though space may have been cramped, it was an ideal place to get their feet on the ground as Walt began his career in welding and soon children were brought into the world. (As a side note: the couple only owned three homes in all their years of marriage: first in Denver, second on Dover Court in Lakewood – ‘the house that Dad built’, and then the move to West 13th Place in Lakewood for Dad to have his dream garage.)

The couple was blessed with four daughters that Leta took under her wing. From earliest age (about two-years old!) she encouraged each to sing until all were able to share in harmony together. The 4 M’s (Melyna, Marsha, Marilyn, and Maureen) were often found in front of the church on Sunday morning sharing one of the newest hits, current inspirational songs or in front of organizations like the PTA bringing music to entertain as well as inspire. Of course, no one who watched performances had seen the rehearsal times when mother had to separate sparring young ladies who quickly learned to have minds of their own! Yet, when before a congregation or audience, the music flowed out of four mouths with mother at the keyboard, and all struggles were forgotten. Mother Leta’s training became worthwhile for the many!

The girls were Leta’s pride and joy and her constant admiring students. Beyond singing, she taught each how to cook, sew, embroider, and ultimately get along with each other.Leta always wanted the best for her girls, yet never boasted or forced the girls into anything that they were not interested in pursuing. Three daughters chose to pursue college educations immediately after high school graduation while one chose a European trip and then marriage. One daughter dropped out of college after two years while another chose to continue immediately into Masters course work. One chose to quit a teaching career and pursue a Divinity degree. It didn’t matter! Whatever the girls chose, Leta was supportive and encouraging. Yes…there were times she worried! Yes…there were times she spoke her mind and tried to point in a different direction, but Leta had a gentle way of simply accepting and smiling as each daughter grew into adulthood and eventually married to expand Leta’s circle of love for her family.

There was only one time that Momma Leta ever put her foot down: don’t you dare break my daughters’ hearts! The men who came and went in each young girl’s life had better be true, better stay that way, and better treat them right! There was little or no tolerance for any who would abuse or use her precious daughters! But when wedding days came, Momma Leta was aglow with the joy of seeing her girls choose love and with a smile and many prayers she offered blessings that a new marriage would last as long and be as beautifully suited as her marriage with Walter J.

Yet, even in her marriage Leta had to become a master at patience. Walt was a hard worker and put in long hours either at J&J Welding or in the garage after each work day. Leta constantly urged him to take evening rests and she waited to share TV shows with him over a bowl of popcorn, or joined him on summer evenings with a Diet Pepsi in hand on the front porch under the stars. She relished the times when the two would finally take a few days off for fishing trips to the mountains or their annual week in Vail, or a ‘swap’ of that timeshare to various places across the United States. And, as can be expected, when Dad Walt wanted to sell his wares at the church’s Regional Assembly, Momma Leta was at his side helping to set up displays and ‘man’ the booth in encouragement of this endeavor.

Many of the ‘outings’ with her husband meant Leta carried with her some hobbies (just in case the fish weren’t biting!) Leta would have a book in her hand – often a love story – or embroidery work of simple things to make into gifts: pillow cases and ‘tea’ towels.

Back home again Leta’s hobbies included music…music…and more music, but she also enjoyed making clothes and costumes, card games with family and neighbors, and cooking for everyday fare as well as celebrations. From Christmas surprises to late night arrivals home from college, Leta was ready with a “hurry-up chocolate cake” or chocolate chip cookies baked from scratch. Though meat and potatoes were a supper staple, she was also always ready to help put-up the produce from the garden: corn, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, and plums to name a few. Each of these and so many more made each meal truly ‘homemade’.

Probably more than anything, Leta is remembered by her family (and many others!) as she sat behind the keyboard of an organ or piano where she shared sensitive and meaningfully prepared music in worship and glorious celebration of the love of God that poured out of her. Each daughter learned the importance of not simply ‘sitting’ in worship, but actively participating – for this was their mom! Each daughter was proud to follow in those footsteps in their own churches with their own families.

The family continued to grow as daughters had children of their own. Never was a grandmother more excited than when one of the 4 M’s announced that a new baby was on the horizon. Leta welcomed nine grandchildren into her arms. But…that was not where her love stopped. Four other ‘step/foster grandchildren’ joined the family through the years and each was just as important and loved as the ones who had shared life with her from their infancy.

The family grew again as grandchildren soon began families of their own. Just put a baby in Leta’s arms and that winning smile made hearts in the room glow with the reward of love that was automatically transferred from Grandmother to Grandchild.

The day before Leta went to her heavenly home, the family gathered for a 69th anniversary celebration. It was a quiet gathering, but once again Leta showed her devotion to Walt and the entire family by determinedly hanging on to life on this earth to share that special celebration. The next day she drifted through the door of earthly life into eternal life where a multitude of family and friends have awaited her arrival. (Her first granddaughter – Emily Jean – was ready to greet her well-loved grandma!)

On this side of forever her husband Walter J. Rogalla of Lakewood, Colorado and many others now await reunion with Leta.

Daughter Melyna and her husband Marion Picraux of Lakewood, Colorado along with their children and grandchildren: Lorrie Schneider and her daughters Desa and Jordann; Tammy and Marty Tearpak and their children Andrew, Marisa and Daniel; Heather and Mat Gothard and their children Ellie, Parker, and Brooke. Daughter Marsha and her husband Ron Hogan of Golden, Colorado along with their son Jacob and his wife Angie of Glen Rock, Wyoming and their children Samantha, Madelyn, Benjamin, and Lily. (Daughter Emily preceded Grandma Leta to eternal life eight years ago).

Daughter Marilyn and her husband John Merle of Guthrie, Oklahoma along with their children: Melanie and Kerry Root of Spring, Texas and their children Dylan, Ryan, and Lily; Jarod Merle and his wife Lacey Goodger and their baby girl Ava of Edmond, Oklahoma; Garret Merle and his wife Taylor Corley Merle of Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacob and Megan Gallegos and their baby girl Olivia of Richland Hills, Texas.

Daughter Maureen and her husband Evan Bricker of Arvada, Colorado along with their children: Timothy and wife Kathleen Bricker and their boys Ethan and Brendan of Westminster, Colorado; Stephanie Bricker of Arvada, Colorado; Natalie Bricker and daughter Michaela of Arvada, Colorado; and Leah Bricker of their home.

There is rejoicing in heaven that a faithful woman has returned ‘home’ and the music heard on high is just a notch better because Leta now shares in the heavenly song she started to sing (or play!) on July 29, 2015.

Jesus has declared: “Welcome home, good and faithful wife, mother, grandmother and friend!”

In lieu In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor the employees who have loved and cared for Leta this past year with designated donations to:

Mountain Vista Senior Care Center

Attention: Employee Benefit Fund

4800 Tabor Street

Wheatridge, Colorado 80033

In honor of Leta E. Rogalla